AS South Africa prepares for the much vaunted G20 Summit this weekend, no planes will be allowed to land in the country.
That’s the assurance from the minister of International Relations and Cooperation, advocate Ronald Lamola, following the controversial landing of a plane from Palestine.
“We do not want any further flights to come our way because this is a clear agenda to cleanse the Palestinians out of Gaza and the West Bank, which South Africa is against,” said the minister.
Allegedly, 150 Palestinians arrived at OR Tambo International Airport last Thursday, on a chartered flight from Kenya.
As a result investigations are now in motion.
He also pointed out the South African government is suspicious about how the alleged refugees came to land in the country.
“Indeed, we are suspicious, as the South African government, about the circumstances surrounding the arrival of the plane and the passengers that were on the plane. This is the subject of investigation,” says Lamola, who further stated “it does look like it represents a broader agenda to remove Palestinians from Palestine into many different parts of the world and it’s a clearly orchestrated operation because they are not only being sent to South Africa, there are other countries where such flights have been sent.”
Posed to him on claims by Israeli authorities that the passengers had valid and approved visas and authorisation to land in South Africa, Lamola disputed this version of events.
“At this stage, the information we have is that they didn’t have those required approvals and permits. But as I have said, this is a matter that is subject to investigation. Our authorities will get to the bottom of the matter,” he said.
He acknowledged that the investigation could potentially reveal different information but expressed doubt.
“At this stage, the information at our disposal is that they didn’t have visas, but maybe an investigation can reveal something different. I doubt that there can be something different, but we will wait for that investigation.”
According Rapport, another similar plane landed in SA last month, arranged through the same controversial intermediaries, Al-Majd Europe.
The aviation operators have been inundated for several months with dozens of requests for chartered planes carrying Palestinians to fly into the country, with such requests dating back to August.
Border Management Authority (BMA) commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato, said the travellers failed to provide their stay duration or accommodation details and lacked departure stamps.
The BMA initially denied them entry as none had applied for asylum.
Gift of the Givers intervened and offered to accommodate them, officials verified the travellers’ details and they were admitted after spending 12 hours aboard the plane, that had kids, elders and pregnant woman.
“We cannot turn them back, even though they do not have the necessary documents and papers,” President Cyril Ramaphosa, had informed Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber.
The President said the decision to accept the Palestinians had to with compassion, empathy and humanitarianism.
“These are people from a strife-torn, a war-torn country and out of compassion and empathy, we must receive them,” said Pres Ramaphosa.
Lamola confirmed that 42 countries have been confirmed for participation at various levels.
This includes 20 G20 members excluding the United States, 16 guest countries, and six countries representing regional economic communities in Africa, the Caribbean and East Asia.
“Preparations for the summit are on track with numerous heads of state and governments from the G20 member countries, including invited guest countries, have been confirmed for participation,” Lamola said.
The summit will mark the first time the G20 leaders’ summit is held on African soil.
G20 meeting takes place from November 22 to 23 at Nasrec, outside Soweto.
Image (Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola has warned no more planes from Palestine will be allowed to land in SA).
